Mania

Mania

Mother of Ghosts; Grandmother Ghost

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Mana; Manea; Manuana

ORIGIN:

Italy, possibly Etruscan

Feast: 24 August

The term mania derives from this goddess’ name. Mania supervises the Manes, Spirits of the Dead. She is their Mother Superior and leader. A goddess of life and death, her mania (lunacy, moon-illness, lunar-inspired madness) is a conduit to the divine.

Although the Manes are sometimes called the benevolent dead, they weren’t always that benevolent, and neither is Mania. At the New Moon nearest November 1, windows were shuttered, houses sealed up, and mirrors turned to face the wall. The Manes were loose. (The Manes can slip in through cracks and use mirrors as portals.) Woolen dolls called maniae were hung over doorways with garlic and poppies to serve as protection.

The Manes were accused of stealing children. Speculation exists that in ancient days, young boys were sacrificed to Mania at the Festival of the Crossroads (the Compitalia) in exchange for her protection of the remaining family. This tradition was allegedly abolished following the expulsion of the Etruscan kings and the founding of the Roman Republic. Poppies and garlic were substituted for human sacrifice.

Post-Christianity, Mania lost her goddess status but survives in Italy as a dreaded night witch who haunts people’s dreams. Her afflictions include chronic nightmares, madness, and manias. She can be invoked to banish ghosts if she’s feeling benevolent.

MANIFESTATION:

Mania appears alone in dreams but otherwise leads a host of spirits. She wears a mask, rarely if ever revealing her face.

ATTRIBUTE:

Mania is associated with the fig hand (mano fica), her life-affirming protective gesture. The fig hand mimes sexual intercourse: make a fist and thrust the thumb through the first two fingers. It repels the Evil Eye and ghosts. Mania commands ghosts. The gesture lends you some of her authority. Make the sign of the fig hand whenever ghosts threaten. Fig hand amulets may be worn or posted on a wall.

Consort: Mantus, overlord of a realm of death

Realm: Mania governs the subterranean Land of the Dead. For the Romans, this wasn’t just some abstract realm someplace underground: an entrance was located in the pit beneath the lapis manalis in the Roman Forum. This stone was lifted three times a year in order to release the Manes, who emerged to accept offerings from the living before returning, shepherded by Mania in both directions.

OFFERINGS:

Garlic, poppies

SEE ALSO:

Endymion; Ghost; Lara; Manes

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.